Earth and Sky: Carpet Cultures of Asia examines hand-woven textiles—particularly carpets—from across Asia, foregrounding the perspectives of weavers, their families and communities. It explores how ‘carpet cultures’ are shaped by shared experiences of weaving, carpet use, trade, and creative imagining. Carpets are revered across Asia but particularly in Iran and the Iranian diaspora. Immigrants frequently mention how carpets evoke some of their earliest memories of home—tactile, acoustic, and emotive memories. Earth and Sky seeks to tease out these subtle, evocative connections, deepening understanding of carpets, their makers, and the cultures that foster them.

Earth and Sky assembles some of the largest and oldest carpets in Nickle Galleries’ collection—many having never been exhibited. Among these are a series of rare 17th and 18th C carpets from the Caucasus and Northwest Persia, several vagireh (rug samplers), a recently conserved two-sided Kurdish carpet from Eastern Anatolia, as well as two reed screens—one from either end of Asia. The exhibition explores carpets and performance, making and knowing, and carpets in everyday life.

Curated by Michele Hardy from the collections of Nickle Galleries

Leesa Streifler: The Performance of Being presents a retrospective survey of the work of one of Canada’s leading feminist artists over the course of her 40-year career. The exhibition explores Streifler’s sustained interest in the representation, performance and politics of “Othered”, marginalized, and non-conforming bodies. Drawing on her own lived experience and informed by feminist theory, her powerful, emotionally-charged, and expressive works present figures that defy social conventions, behavioural ‘norms’ and traditional gender roles to engage in critical discourse on body-image, sexuality, agency, performativity, relationships, motherhood, illness and aging. Drawn from public and private collections nationwide, this survey brings together over one hundred works in drawing, painting, mixed media, photography and installation, exemplifying the significant contributions of Streifler’s critically-acclaimed practice towards feminist art in Canada.

Coins of Islam explores the rich and diverse history of Islamic coinage, tracing its evolution from the 7th century to the height of the Fatimid Dynasty and beyond. Islamic coins served as more than currency; they were symbols of power, faith and propaganda, and canvases for exquisite artistic expression. From the earliest coins inscribed with Arabic script and influenced by Byzantine and Sasanian designs, to the intricate calligraphy and bold patterns of later dynasties, these artifacts reveal a dynamic interplay of faith, culture, and authority.

The exhibit reveals how Islamic coins reflected the artistic and intellectual achievements of their time, featuring messages of unity and power. This display provides a unique lens into the artistic, political, and cultural heritage of the Islamic world, offering a testament to centuries of innovation and creativity.